Baby feet are so cute! Both babies were snuggled in carriers, so we were only able to capture their cute toes.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
playing at the park
We had a wonderful morning on Friday playing at the park with some friends. Luckily, we decided to meet early because we are experiencing temperatures that are near 100 degrees by afternoon. In the morning, it was much cooler.
Baby feet are so cute! Both babies were snuggled in carriers, so we were only able to capture their cute toes.
Baby feet are so cute! Both babies were snuggled in carriers, so we were only able to capture their cute toes.
accessories
Amanda finally has a bow for her hair! Derrick thinks it is completely unnecessary. It think it is completely unnecessary and completely cute. Amanda so far has not noticed a thing, unlike her hats, which she pulls off the first chance she gets.
She is also sporting another "accessory." Some ladies cannot complete a meal without powdering their noses or reapplying lipstick. For Amanda, a meal is not complete without it smeared across her face. In this picture, she is wearing the "organic peas" color. For breakfast, it is often "applesauce & blueberry" with oatmeal for added softening benefits. And, this evening it was a beautiful hue of orange that we call "sweet potato surprise." That beta carotene does wonders for the skin.
Farley is excited about Amanda's new table food adventures. He is often at the foot of her chair, waiting for what she drops next.
She is also sporting another "accessory." Some ladies cannot complete a meal without powdering their noses or reapplying lipstick. For Amanda, a meal is not complete without it smeared across her face. In this picture, she is wearing the "organic peas" color. For breakfast, it is often "applesauce & blueberry" with oatmeal for added softening benefits. And, this evening it was a beautiful hue of orange that we call "sweet potato surprise." That beta carotene does wonders for the skin.
Farley is excited about Amanda's new table food adventures. He is often at the foot of her chair, waiting for what she drops next.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Joke Masters
Have you ever heard a joke that makes such little sense that it is actually funny? That's about all we hear around here. The boys have just discovered joke-telling and constantly exchange jokes with each other and us. Here are some samples:
"Why did the chicken cross the road?"
"Because he was trying to get on the pirate's head."
"Why did the chicken walk the plank?"
"Because he was trying to get on the roof's head."
The common themes in all of our jokes are pirates and chickens who cross roads or walk planks. The boys laugh so much as they share jokes across the table that it is hard not to join in on the fun.
The only rule in all of this is that they are not supposed to tell potty jokes, especially at the table. So, the other day when I heard the answer as "because he was trying to pee on the pirate's head," I immediately put a stop to that answer. Andrew immediately retorted with this joke:
"Why did the chicken walk the plank?"
"Because he was trying to tee on the tirate's head!"
Sigh...what am I going to do with him?
"Why did the chicken cross the road?"
"Because he was trying to get on the pirate's head."
"Why did the chicken walk the plank?"
"Because he was trying to get on the roof's head."
The common themes in all of our jokes are pirates and chickens who cross roads or walk planks. The boys laugh so much as they share jokes across the table that it is hard not to join in on the fun.
The only rule in all of this is that they are not supposed to tell potty jokes, especially at the table. So, the other day when I heard the answer as "because he was trying to pee on the pirate's head," I immediately put a stop to that answer. Andrew immediately retorted with this joke:
"Why did the chicken walk the plank?"
"Because he was trying to tee on the tirate's head!"
Sigh...what am I going to do with him?
Sunday, June 21, 2009
my baby doll
I often joke with friends that Amanda is my real life baby doll. I get to care for her, feed her, rock her, and - most exciting - dress her. Last week, she really was like a doll to me.
When I was a baby, my Mom made me this cute Strawberry Shortcake dress. I certainly don't remember wearing it, but do remember spending hours dressing my dolls in it. Now, I have the joy of dressing my own baby in it.
As she approaches her 9-month birthday, I realize that I don't have much longer with a real live baby doll in the house. But I do hope and pray that we will have many years ahead to play with Amanda's dolls and dress them these same clothes.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Summer Uniform
Helmets are part of our summer uniform around here. It has been drilled into the boys' heads that one must NEVER ride a wheeled vehicle without one on his head. Whenever we see a movie or a picture of someone riding a bike without a helmet, one of the boys is sure to comment on it. They have a really hard time understanding why Mommy & Daddy did not wear helmets as kids.
It's great that they know to wear a helmet, but the other side of the story is that they are convinced that they are invincible when they have it on. Often, I'll hear one say to the other - "I'm wearing my helmet, so I can't get hurt."
Scott has just learned how to ride a bike without training wheels. Andrew is still working on the basics of steering and pedaling. He prefers the scooter, which is easier to maneuver.
It's great that they know to wear a helmet, but the other side of the story is that they are convinced that they are invincible when they have it on. Often, I'll hear one say to the other - "I'm wearing my helmet, so I can't get hurt."
Scott has just learned how to ride a bike without training wheels. Andrew is still working on the basics of steering and pedaling. He prefers the scooter, which is easier to maneuver.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Boundaries
Boundaries...we all need them, yet we all seem to resist or lash out when we encounter them. I'm learning that resistance starts very young...3 1/2 to be exact.
I love my newborn babies: sweet, cuddly and easily pacified. I love my one year olds: curious, walking and learning new things every day. I love my two year olds: independent, diaperless, and still napping. But things always get hard for me at age three. I think that is the age that kids realize that they can resist the boundaries.
For Scott, the boundary is like a brick wall. He runs at full speed toward it and "rams" it for hours, wailing and pleading. When he sees that we are firm on our stance, he (finally) accepts it and never pushes that boundary again. It is set. This personality type makes me always question "do I want to fight this battle now?" because I know when I start the battle, I have to stick with it until the end.
For Andrew, the boundary is like an electric dog fence. He also runs toward it at full speed. When he reaches it, he pauses for a second, and bursts through on the other side and keeps running. To him, boundaries don't exist. They are just a minor pain, like the shock a dog gets while he is near the electric part of the yard.
So, I find that disciplining him is totally different from Scott. Just when I started to feel comfortable with my discipline methods, Andrew changed everything. No time to be complacent around here! I can tell Andrew 100 times not to... (fill in the blank: climb on the couch, yell in the hallway, throw balls in the house - all of these are examples from today.) No matter what the consequence, I'll find him doing the same thing the next day. It is driving me crazy. So, I'm praying for lots of patience and wisdom to know how to raise this little boy.
And I'm not so eagerly awaiting a three-year old Amanda. I wonder what she has in store for me.
I love my newborn babies: sweet, cuddly and easily pacified. I love my one year olds: curious, walking and learning new things every day. I love my two year olds: independent, diaperless, and still napping. But things always get hard for me at age three. I think that is the age that kids realize that they can resist the boundaries.
For Scott, the boundary is like a brick wall. He runs at full speed toward it and "rams" it for hours, wailing and pleading. When he sees that we are firm on our stance, he (finally) accepts it and never pushes that boundary again. It is set. This personality type makes me always question "do I want to fight this battle now?" because I know when I start the battle, I have to stick with it until the end.
For Andrew, the boundary is like an electric dog fence. He also runs toward it at full speed. When he reaches it, he pauses for a second, and bursts through on the other side and keeps running. To him, boundaries don't exist. They are just a minor pain, like the shock a dog gets while he is near the electric part of the yard.
So, I find that disciplining him is totally different from Scott. Just when I started to feel comfortable with my discipline methods, Andrew changed everything. No time to be complacent around here! I can tell Andrew 100 times not to... (fill in the blank: climb on the couch, yell in the hallway, throw balls in the house - all of these are examples from today.) No matter what the consequence, I'll find him doing the same thing the next day. It is driving me crazy. So, I'm praying for lots of patience and wisdom to know how to raise this little boy.
And I'm not so eagerly awaiting a three-year old Amanda. I wonder what she has in store for me.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Mohawks must be popular again, because there were two or three boys sporting them at VBS this week. Last night, after washing Amanda's hair, I realized it is really easy to give her one. Enjoy the silly pictures!
Speaking of Amanda, she was perhaps the only person in the building who did NOT like VBS. She decided to start separation anxiety this week. But, the nursery volunteers quickly realized they could walk her around the building and she was perfectly happy. So maybe it wasn't separation anxiety from Mommy; maybe it was a simple fact that she was bored watching the other baby in the room. After all, she is used to much more activity.
Speaking of Amanda, she was perhaps the only person in the building who did NOT like VBS. She decided to start separation anxiety this week. But, the nursery volunteers quickly realized they could walk her around the building and she was perfectly happy. So maybe it wasn't separation anxiety from Mommy; maybe it was a simple fact that she was bored watching the other baby in the room. After all, she is used to much more activity.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Vacation Bible School
I've been slow posting this week because we've had a full week of VBS. We are at Camp E.D.G.E. (Experiencing and Discovering God Everywhere) and the boys are having a blast. They sing, make crafts, play recreation, do science and hang out with their friends. We have come home every day exhausted.
I'm also having a great time. Like last year, I am in charge of Science for the little kids (2, 3, Pre-K and Kindergarten). I'm realizing more and more how literal and concrete their little minds are. Most of the activities we have use abstract concepts to link the science with the bible story. For instance, on Monday morning, the boys and I were praying for the day. I said, "Lord, open our hearts so that we may know more about you today." We finished praying and Andrew looked up at me and said, "Is God going to open my heart?"
Then, this morning, Andrew saw the string that we used for one experiment and with one great, big, long run-on sentence said: "When you have a string, put the water in it with some powder and a chopstick and put in the soap and draw a line and the soap turns back into lemonade."
He combined three experiments into one: 1. Water travels down a wet string into a bowl from a measuring cup; 2. When talcum powder is sprinkled on water, you can use a craft stick dipped in soap to break the surface tension of the water and cause the powder to dissolve; 3. We did a sink/float activity and used a chopstick as one of our objects. I have no idea where the lemonade came from. :)
If all the kids are like Andrew, I'm not sure what they "take home" from them, but I know we are having lots of fun.
Today, we made playdoh and I explained the ABCs of being a Christian with the salt, flour and water. Then, we molded the playdoh to a baby food jar and poured red lava (vinegar) into the jar (which already had baking soda in it) to make it explode. When we ask Jesus into our heart, we overflow with God's love! The kids loved it and so did I. I made 12 volcanoes today and never once did I get bored with watching them explode.
Tomorrow is our last day of VBS and I can't wait to see what the kids bring home. Remember the posting from last year? I'll be sure to report on the loot for this year.
I'm also having a great time. Like last year, I am in charge of Science for the little kids (2, 3, Pre-K and Kindergarten). I'm realizing more and more how literal and concrete their little minds are. Most of the activities we have use abstract concepts to link the science with the bible story. For instance, on Monday morning, the boys and I were praying for the day. I said, "Lord, open our hearts so that we may know more about you today." We finished praying and Andrew looked up at me and said, "Is God going to open my heart?"
Then, this morning, Andrew saw the string that we used for one experiment and with one great, big, long run-on sentence said: "When you have a string, put the water in it with some powder and a chopstick and put in the soap and draw a line and the soap turns back into lemonade."
He combined three experiments into one: 1. Water travels down a wet string into a bowl from a measuring cup; 2. When talcum powder is sprinkled on water, you can use a craft stick dipped in soap to break the surface tension of the water and cause the powder to dissolve; 3. We did a sink/float activity and used a chopstick as one of our objects. I have no idea where the lemonade came from. :)
If all the kids are like Andrew, I'm not sure what they "take home" from them, but I know we are having lots of fun.
Today, we made playdoh and I explained the ABCs of being a Christian with the salt, flour and water. Then, we molded the playdoh to a baby food jar and poured red lava (vinegar) into the jar (which already had baking soda in it) to make it explode. When we ask Jesus into our heart, we overflow with God's love! The kids loved it and so did I. I made 12 volcanoes today and never once did I get bored with watching them explode.
Tomorrow is our last day of VBS and I can't wait to see what the kids bring home. Remember the posting from last year? I'll be sure to report on the loot for this year.
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